Sites set for women's Tournament of Nations

CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. women's national team has announced that this summer's Tournament of Nations will be played at stadiums in Kansas, Connecticut and Illinois.

The U.S. will host Australia, Brazil and Japan in the tournament, which kicks off at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on July 26. The tournament shifts to Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut on July 29 before wrapping at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois, on Aug. 2.

The four teams will play double-headers at each site, with the winner decided on points. Overall goal differential and total goals will act as the first tiebreakers.

For the United States, the tournament is a tuneup for World Cup qualifying this fall. Australia, Japan and Brazil have already booked spots among the field that will play in next summer's women's World Cup in France. The matches will air on FOX Sports, which will also broadcast the World Cup.

"Friendlies are important, but there's nothing like the competitive format these tournaments provide us. Australia, Brazil and Japan are three very different teams that challenge us with their respective styles and personnel and it will be another fantastic tournament for our fans to watch," U.S. coach Jill Ellis said in a statement.